Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-04-07
noe Us AaENoY.
A Company Orgaatzed by a Chs ster
Ceunsy BkSm Believed 90 be Ersnd-

O0untF bA@m hSsth1VaA 10 De krtsmu-
uhent.
A special to the Philadelphia Press from
West Chester, Pa, dated Friday says;
About the middle of March, 8. Harlan
Baker, o real estate agent, OF Mime tpolis,
Mimi, was arrested by Meirs a. Unherhill,
OF New York city, who claimed that no was
Indebted TO them In the sum OF $50, 600. He
also operated extensively In Chester and
Lancaster counties, In this state, having
several years ago lived In West Fallowfleld,
Chester county. On February 17th be pub
lisheda statement OF MS financial condition
when he figured his assets to be Slh5, 900
and his liabilities about $4,000. When
Miers & Underhill had him arrested they
found that his liabilities were over $40, 600,
with strong probability that they were
much larger.
About year ago Baker organized the
United States Mortgage, Trust and Deben-
ture Company with an alleged capital Of
Sl60, 900. This company, II is sisid, is
fraudulent. Information from Minneapolis
states that Baker operated In eonjunltion
with James II. Baylis and wife, who signed
mortgages, claiming to be owners of certain
lands in and around Minneapolis.
The alleged swindler belongs to a good
family In Chester county. He Is the son OF
Samuel Baker of West Fallowfield town
ship. He operated very extensively among
his acquaintance along the Chester aud
Lancaster county line. Among his Chester
county patrons were the late Captain O. b.
Sheppard OF West Chester, who WAS inter-
ested in his Debenture Company, but had
only paid 10 about S76 on the stock. BEN
mott y. Walton of Londongrove, was another
patton. He held coupon mortgages. These
Mr.. Walton believes to be all good, as he
suspected some time last fall that Baker
was not absolutely trustworthy and com
municated with the parties on whose prop
mi Ha haa ~ frn5
all but one, and instructed them to dis
continue remitting their interest through
Baker, but to send 1t direct. Mr.. Walton
also had q small Investment in the Deben-
ture Company, but is not worried In the
least about what he will lose In IL.
Professor d. M. Sensenig of the West
Chester 8 ate Normal School, stated that he
knew Baker well and that he had negoti-
ated mortgages for HIN, but all were made
before the organization of the Debenture
Company. He Is of the opinion that they
are all safe. He did not invest In the De-
benture Company. Professor Sensenig
thinks that Bakers crookedness commenced
about the time or shortly after the organ
lzatton OF the Debenture Company.
Among others who had dealings with him
were Charles Michener and Susannah Sean
Ian OF West Fellowship Township, the latter
being cousin. Mr.. Miehener few days
ago Issued foreign attachment against
DhAot 1utoroSt III MS 1atn6TS 6SthLb,
through his attorney, William M. Hayes.
His claims are $500. In the attachment
Issued by Susannah Soanlan she sets forth
that her demand is made upon promissory
note drawn at Minneapolis on May 9Th last
for 81 900 and which Baker promised to pay
upon 80 days notice, with per cent In
terest. Or the same day he also got from
her $500, and drew up the following instru-
ment:
MINNEAPOLIs, MIMI, March 8, i8s6.-R celved
Of Susaaa D. Scaular. 1900 to be plac I'd on real
estate (untmprovedl In Minneapolis, and until
80 placed to draw IL terest at the rate Of per
cent per annum. 6. II. BAKER
Lawyer Hayes, attorney for Michener and
Scanlan, stated that he knew nothing of
Baker, but 1t WIS thought that he might
have neglected to transfer or sell his In
terest In his fathers farm and SO leave
something for his creditors. 1t is said that
the Debenture Company never had legal
existence and was simply used by Baker to
raise money.